Syracuse man sent to prison for defrauding food stamp program

A Syracuse man has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for his part in a scheme that took $400,000 from the federal food stamp program.

Jose Vazquez-Melendez, 43, exchanged 50 cents in cash for each dollar of food stamp benefits while working at the A Shack Market on Midland Avenue between January 2005 and April 2006, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg West. Along with store operator Wael Deb, 43, of Camillus, Vazquez-Melendez allowed food stamps recipients to use their benefit cards to pay cell phone and utility bills.

Syracuse police and criminal investigators for the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched an investigation in summer 2005, West said. Vazquez-Melendez allowed an informant to exchange food stamp benefits for cash at the A Shack Market. Syracuse police and several federal agencies then searched the A Shack and found other evidence that at least $400,000 was taken from the food stamp program

The two men will be responsible for paying $400,000 in restitution, West said.

Deb will be sentenced in December. Vazquez-Melendez was immediately taken into custody Wednesday by U.S. marshals after sentencing.